Erik Truffaz: The Walk Of The Giant Turtle

With the tension of his muted trumpet and the release of his open horn, Erik Truffaz walks on the back of a giant turtle representing planet Earth. His hip creations traverse continents as well as history. While jazz and electric fusion have remained faithful soul mates for over 30 years, the popular mix has always represented a thorn in the side of loyal, straight-ahead devotees. Most of the recordings issued by Miles Davis after 1969, after all, still pose questions in the minds of die-hard fans.

Trumpeter Truffaz has created a powerful follow-up to last year’s Mantis, on which he sketched out drawings that connected the dots between cool jazz, world beat affairs, and tradition. This time out, Truffaz’s session sizzles with hot rock defiance, techno-dance energy and creative, in- your-face gestures.

”Seven Skies” heralds the approach of a passionate rock opera. “Flamingos” moves gracefully along dream-filled pathways. “King B” and “Next Door” strut to the heavy backbeat of a crowded dance floor. “Turiddu” and “Belle de Nuit” lay low with the sweet dreams of tomorrow. “Wilfried,” a personal favorite, offers intricate counterpoint behind the delicately woven and fresh open voice of Truffaz’s trumpet. To close the program, “The Walk of the Giant Turtle” stirs creative fires that all too often get left out in today’s business world where dollars carry more weight than artistic achievement. Kudos to Truffaz for his courage in seeing things his own way, with this recommended album as the fortuitous result.

Track Listing: Scody Part 1; Scody Part 2; King B; Flamingos; Turiddu; Next Door; Belle de Nuit; Wilfried; Seven
Skies; The Walk of the Giant Turtle.

I grew up listening to my father's Jazz records and listening to radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy

I grew up listening to my father's Jazz records and listening to radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy. So music and jazz specifically have been a part of me since I was born. I love and perform in all styles of music from around the world. Improvisation in jazz is what drew me in, and still does as well as other genres that feature improvisation. A group of great musicians expressing themselves as one is the hallmark of great jazz and in fact all great music.